This one was never in doubt! Honestly, the second we saw Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on Team USA’s 4x400m relay squad, everyone knew how this was going to end. Fresh off her 400m world title, McLaughlin-Levrone was about to anchor the team, and you just knew she was going to bring it home. From the get-go, the U.S. looked unbeatable. Isabella Whittaker opened strong with 50.12, setting the tone and giving her teammates a boost. Lynna Irby-Jackson ran a 48.71, widening the gap and putting the rest of the field on notice. By the time Aaliyah Butler grabbed the baton with 49.96, the Americans already had a lead that looked impossible to chase. The baton was moving slickly, from one runner to the next, everyone pushing just enough.

And then Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone grabbed the final baton. Y

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